One of the most frequently asked questions we get about child behavior is whether a child is engaging in a tantrum or having a “meltdown.” Do you know the difference, or the unique response each one requires?

Most people view tantrums as behavior that a young child engages in to get what they want, to manipulate the situation, or to otherwise gain attention from adults. These are behavioral outbursts to avoid bedtime, get an extra dessert or delay finishing homework.

On the other hand, the word “meltdown” has come to refer to behavior that is characteristically out of control, highly emotional, and often prompted by external factors such as sensory information (loud sounds, overwhelming environment, etc). A child on the spectrum might experience a meltdown after hearing a loud siren or experiencing a negative texture, for example.

How we define these behaviors reflects our perspective toward these behaviors. At STEPS for Kids we emphasize an empathic approach to understanding the child and teaching the necessary skills to reduce BOTH tantrums and meltdowns.

Here are some quick tips to understanding and managing these most challenging behaviors. Download the PDF version here.

As exciting as your own backyard can be, every now and then we need to be a bit more creative about our child’s outdoor play time. We did some digging to find the best local options for inventive ways to get outside and give your child great ways to play and grow.

Kids enjoying camp at Kendall County’s Natural Beginnings

Kendall County Forest Preserve offers a nature based preschool. Natural Beginnings Early Childhood program meets at Hoover Forest Preserve in Yorkville and serves children from 3 – 6 years of age. Over the course of nine months, children explore the world around them through various nature-based themes. Click the link to find out more about this unique program for youngsters.

Interested in connecting with animals? Therapeutic horseback riding is a great way to get your child outdoors and support developmental skills. Our community has several options available, including:

The Yorkville Park District offers a wide variety of Summer Camps for school-aged children. From Pre-K Adventures Camp, where little ones enjoy games, crafts and play along different themes each week, to fishing, tennis, soccer and more for active kids, discover local options to break up the long summer break.

If you’re not sure where to start with building play into your summer, our therapy services can help children play and explore the great outdoors! Contact STEPS today for a free evaluation and more information on our Social Skills Groups.

We recently posted about how great playing outside is for your child’s development. Ideally, kids would be outside playing for three hours every day! But that can be a difficult task, especially if your child had sensory processing issues or other needs.

For some children the wind is too much to bear, or the sunlight is too bright. For some, the noise is too loud to enjoy the outdoors. Others struggle with knowing how to play, or lack social skills for positive group play.

To help these children benefit from outdoor play, try these strategies that address the various ways kids struggle:

Have your child wear a hat with a brim or sunglasses

Use noise cancelling headphones; wear earmuffs or a headband over the ears

Let your child choose the clothing for outdoors, including long sleeves or a jacket even when it’s warm outside. Better to be comfy and happy than fashionable!

Make outdoor play a part of your child’s daily routine. Prepare your child with social stories or books that talk about what to expect when outdoors.

Make a plan for what you will do together outdoors. Have your child help choose outdoor activities for the day.

Start slow, and build time gradually. It doesn’t have to be three hours all at once. Allow the time to add up over the course of the day. Even 10 minutes at a time is better than no time at all!

Model outdoor play by playing with your child and facilitating social interactions with other children.

Be available to support as needed based on your child’s skill level, while stepping back to provide your child space for practicing skills on their own.

Make outdoor time a time to build relationships. Have a picnic, read a book, explore your neighborhood, meet new friends. Enjoy each other as well as the outdoors!

There’s so much fun to be had outside! With a little extra attention, you and your child can create enjoyable outdoor play experiences that both support their development and make great good-weather memories.

Summer is here! Kids need to play hard to develop skills and grow strong physically, mentally, and emotionally. Now is the perfect time to take the play outdoors, where kids can get the movement, sensory experiences, and social interactions to support development in a positive and healthy way.

Angela Hanscom, occupational therapist and founder of TimberNook Camps, suggests that all children should be playing outside for 3 hours a day. Ms. Hanscom recently authored the book Balanced adn Barefoot, spelling out exactly how and why development benefits from this time.

She recommends that this time to play be unrestricted, with limited parental involvement (depending on the child’s age and abilities). Benefits of outdoor play include physical strengthening, motor coordination and balance, problem solving, creativity, self-regulation and emotional expression, and social interaction.

I’ve compiled some of Ms. Hanscom’s tips for how to work this outside time into your child’s day.

Identify the fears or concerns that cause us to limit a child’s outdoor time. Confront those fears by teaching the child the skills needed, such as how to watch for traffic, or providing tools such as walkie-talkies for communication.

Consider hosting other children for a half or full day, instead of just an hour or two. Children need time to develop friendships and explore play schemes!

Provide children with “loose parts” for play outside. Things like kitchenware, buckets, trays, boxes, or other “junkyard finds” that can be used, explored, and repurposed in play.

Many children with special needs qualify for therapy services in the school. Parents sometimes think that these services are enough to meet their child’s needs and do not pursue options for clinic based therapies which might greatly enhance their children’s development. Some children are struggling at home but don’t qualify for therapy services in the school. Parents may assume that their child wouldn’t benefit from therapy in a clinic setting or don’t know that this option is available. It’s important to know the difference between therapy services provided in different settings.

School Based Therapy:

Is provided as a related service to support the child’s participation in and ability to benefit from educational programs.

Is required by law to be a part of the child’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) when deemed appropriate by the educational team.

Is limited to the needs identified by the educational team and only addresses needs that impact educational performance or participation.

Is not provided if the child is not demonstrating a need in the school setting that requires specific therapy interventions.

Is subject to the limitations of service identified by the IEP and requires a team meeting to make changes, such as increasing therapy time.

Only occurs during school hours; often limited by school calendar and staff shortages.

Clinic Based Therapy:

Can be provided for any child who has demonstrated need for therapy support services.

Is provided in the clinic with options for home and community based services

Addresses the needs of the child in the context of the family, identifying strengths and supporting access to community resources.

Is usually covered under medical insurance plans or can be paid for privately without limitations placed by insurance providers.

Can be scheduled with frequency and duration most appropriate for the child’s needs with flexibility for modifying the plan as needed.

Clinic therapists collaborate with the schools when child is receiving both types of services, thus enhancing treatment outcomes in all settings.

Whether a child is currently receiving school based therapies or has been found not eligible for services in the school setting, clinic based therapy may be a good choice for supporting development. If you have questions about the difference between therapy services please contact our office for more information or to discuss your child’s therapy needs.

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Since 2010, STEPS for Kids has been providing quality therapy services for children and their families in Kendall County and surrounding areas.

Our highly skilled staff specializes in the developmental needs of children from birth through adolescence. We provide comprehensive assessment and treatment that meets each child’s needs while addressing the concerns that are most important to the family.